Road ripper



FIG. 1.

April 27, 1937. A. P MCKAY 2,078,539

ROAD RIPPER Filed Feb. 7, 1936 4, Sheets-Sheet 1 Q Q a i l \S \sINVENTOR.

Au 1.1.5175. P M KE='L1 ATTORN YS.

April 27, 1937. McKAY 2,078,539

ROAD RIPPER Filed Feb. 7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4.

I o lo 7:: Q INVENTOR, (5 q ala FlM Ka E s 1': we;

I N wMM ATTO R N EYS.

A. P. M KAY April 27, 193 7.

ROAD RIPPER Filed Feb. '7, 1956 R 3 o a M O O O 6W. UL a O N, mm 3 o W}hw 9 O u \N o E Q o 3 M I I o 1 Q u (m mm w ATTORNEYS.

A. P. M KAY April 27, 1937.

ROAD R IPPER Filed Feb. '7, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Augusta F. MKa ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 27, 1937 PATENT OFFICE ROAD RIPPER Augusta P.McKay, Rome, Ga., assignor to Rome Plow Company, Cedartown, Ga., acorporation of Georgia Application February 7, 1936, Serial No. 62,841

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to roadway making or building implementsand more particularly to that type of implement which has become knownas a road ripper. These implements are provided with a number of rippingstandards and while not specifically limited to such use, are employedfor tearing up old macadamized or paved roads and in use are adapted tobe drawn by a tractor capable of exerting considerable l0 draw bar pull.According to the nature of the work being done, that is, whetherstripping off the surface, ripping up the sub-strata, or where only thevirginal clay is encountered, it becomes necessary to vary the number ofripping standards which are in active ripping position, and

also at times to raise all of the standards to clear any accumulation ofripped up material such as large boulders, stumps or blocks of oldpaving when it becomes clogged up in front of the ripping standards andunder the frame. With the present types of rippers the ripping standardsare individually bolted to the implement and necessitate completeremoval of the standards when it becomes necessary to reduce the numberof standards in order that the tractor can pull the ripper. Likewise,the standards must be separately bolted back again when all are desiredand this results in considerable loss of operating time for the tractorand ripper. While various means have been provided for raising thestandards to clear debris from in front of the ripping mechanism, suchraising means in some instances required the ripper to be backed up toreturn the standards to a ripping position and required that all of the7 standards be raised and lowered in unison.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide animproved road ripper wherein greater convenience and efiiciencv inoperation is provided for thru quicker and easier conditioning of theimplement to the particular work being done.

A further object of the invention is to provide a road ripper implementwherein the ripping standards are individually plvotally movable intoand out of a ripping position, thus greatly facilitating changing fromone to any desired number of thestandards.

A further object resides in the arrangement of combining the power liftmeans with the latching means for the ripping standards whereby anyactive standards which have been released will, upon raising of theripper be automatically latched in a ripping position.

A further object resides in the arrangement whereby the ripper will beraised to its maximum elevated position at all times regardless of thedepth at which the ripper is set.

A further object resides in the latching arrangement for the standardswhereby when one or more of the standards are swung to an inactiveposition, the same are clear of their latches and permit operation ofall of the latches to release and also engage the active standards.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in whichdrawings:--

Figure l is a perspective view of the road ripper in a raised orelevated position. a

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the road ripper in a loweredworking position and showing one of the ripping standards hooked up outof working position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the latchingmeans for the ripping standards.

Figure l is a top plan view of the implement.

' Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing the mountingfor the ground wheels.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view part in side elevation and partin section and showing the latch means for holding the ripper raised.

Figure '7 is a view substantially similar to Figure 6 but showing theripper lowered.

Referring to the drawings in detail and wherein like referencecharacters designate corresponding parts thruout the several views, theroad ripper implement comprises a wheel supported frame A adapted to beraised and lowered by power lift means or mechanism B with which isassociated a frame latching means C and a depth regulating means D.Pivotally mounted upon the frame A is a number of ripping standards Econtrolled by a standard latching means F.

The frame A is preferably of one piece cast steel construction andcomprises a main frame portion 5 embodying longitudinal side rails 6joined at their forward ends by a front cross rail 1, and at their rearportions by a cross frame structure 8. Extending parallel with the siderails 6 are three connecting rails 9, 9' and 9" which provide verticalopen spaces as clearly shown in Figure 4. Extending forwardly from themain frame portion 5 is a triangular shaped frame portion Ill which isprovided at its forwardly converging end or apex with a suitable drawbar coupling or hitch H for attachment to a tractor or the like used topull the implement. The cross frame structure 8 is formed with companionpairs of spaced apart upstanding flanges I2 providing slots l3 whichopen at the rear end of the frame and form mounting spaces for theripping standards E. While the implement has been shown provided withfive ripping standards, this number may be varied if so desired. It willalso be noted particularly in Figure 1 that the ripping standards arearranged in slightly V formation with the center standard arrangedforemost and the outer standards in rearward stepped relation.

Journaled in suitable bearings I4, to extend transversely of the centralportion of the main frame portion 5 is a main or wheel carrying shaft I5 to each end portion of which is rigidly secured a pair of spaced apartforwardly inclined wheel carrier arms I6 and between the lower ends ofwhich are mounted ground wheels IT as upon axles IS. The bearings R4 aresecured by bolts l9 to the upper sides of the rails 6, 9 and 9 wherebythe shaft I5 extends across the upper side of the frame. The wheelcarrier arms [6 are arranged so that one of the ground wheels I? ismovable in the open space between one side rail 6 and the connectingrail 9, and the other wheel between the other side rail 6 and connectingrail 3". Thus it will be seen that by having the wheel carrier arms l3inclined forwardly and downwardly from the shaft I5, upon lowering theframe the wheels will roll forward and the upper ends of the arms "5will swing rearward.

The power lift means 13 is arranged to auto matically lift the frame Athru forward travel of the ripper so as to elevate the ripping standardsfrom a working position, and this power lift means is arranged to actwholly independent of the depth regulating means D. J ournaled to extendtransversely beneath the frame portion 5, as in suitable bearingbrackets 23 secured in place by the bolts IQ for the two bearings [4which are disposed at the rear ends of the two connecting rails 9 and9", is a power lift shaft 2| of a length slightly less than the distancebetween the ground wheels 51. This power lift shaft 2i is provided ateach end with a cross member 2i to each of which is secured as by bolts22, a power lift hook 23 having a downturned hook end 24. These lifthooks 23 are adapted to co-act with ratchet wheels or trundles 25provided on the inner or confronting sides of the ground wheels I'I.These trundles 25 each preferably consists of a ring disc 23 fixedco-axially to the inner side of the ground wheel by an annular row ofstuds 2'! arranged to be engaged by the hook end 24 of the power lifthook. Fixed at one end to the power lift shaft 2! is an arcuate or Cshaped arm 28 which curves upwardly and rearwardly from the shaft andhas connected to its upper end, the rear end of alink 29. The forwardend of this link 29 is pivotally connected to a power lift lever 30which is pivoted at its lower end upon the connecting rail 9 so as toswing longitudinally of the ripper. A coil spring 3| connected to thelever 39 normally urges the lever rearward and swings the power lifthooks 23 clear of the ratchet wheels 25 as in Figures 1, 2, 4 and '7.The manner of raising the frame will be later described.

The frame latching means C for releasably retaining the frame elevatedwhen raised by the lower lift means B, comprises a combined latch andstop arm 32 which is rigidly secured at one end to the main shaft I 5midway between the ends of the shaft and extending substantially at aright angle to the wheel carrier arms I6. Pivoted at its lower end as bya pivot bolt 33 to the rear portion of the central connecting rail 9',is a latch 34 formed by a pair of parallel arms held in spaced apartrelation by a bolt and spacer sleeve 35 providing a stop to be engagedby the free end portion of the latch arm 32 when the frame A iselevated. The free end portion of the latch arm 32 is arranged to haveswinging movement between the arms of the latch 34 and has its end edgebeveled as shown in Figures 6 and 'I so as to ride under the stop 35when the frame is elevated. Pivotally connected at its rear end to theupper end of the latch 34 is a link 36 having its forward end pivotallyconnected to a frame latch lever 37. This lever 37 is pivotallyconnected as by a pivot bolt 38 to the front frame portion iii inalignment with the central connecting rail 9", and a coil spring 39serves to normally urge the lever 3'! and the latch 34 rearwardlywhereby the stop 35 is retained in position to be engaged by the latcharm 32. When the frame A is raised, the latch arm 32 swings downward andthe beveled end of the arm rides under the stop 35 as shown in Figure 6.

The depth regulating means D for regulating the degree of penetration ofthe ripping standards E by controlling lowering of the frame A, is soarranged as to permit ready and easy depth adjustment while the weightof the ripper is off of the regulating means. This means D comprises apair of spaced apart stop arms 40 which are pivoted at their lower endsupon the main shaft l5 one at each side of the fixed latch arm 32.Pivotally connected between the upper ends of the arms 46 is a collar 4!thru which is rotatably extended a depth regulating screw 42 provided atits rear end with a handle 43. Arranged between the collar 4| and handle43 is a spacer sleeve 44, while encircling the screw 42 at the oppositeside of the collar is a stop collar 45. The forward lower end of thescrew 42 is threaded as at 46 and this threaded end portion is threadedinto a forked anchoring member or clevis 41 pivoted upon the pivot bolt38, for the lever 37. The latch arm 32 is adapted to having swingingmovement between the arms 49 into engagement with a stop bolt 48connecting the intermediate portion of the arms. As shown in Figure 7,engagement of the combined latch and stop arm 32 with the stop bolt 43limits lowering of the frame A. When the ripper is in a raised positionas in Figure 6, the weight of the frame is off of the depth regulatingmeans and permits ready and easy rotation of the depth regulating screw42. Rotation of the screw 42 will cause the arms 40 to be swungforwardly and rearwardly of the ripper and thus vary the position of thestop bolt 48.

Referring now to the construction and the manner of mounting the rippingstandards E, these standards are individually and pivotally mounted inthe cross frame structure, one in each of the rearwardly opening slots[3 formed between the companion pairs of flanges l2. These rippingstandards are of substantially C shape and embody a shank 43 provided atits lower forwardly directed end with a ripper point 50. The upperforwardly directed arm portions 5! extend longitudinally in the slots 53and are pivotally mounted between the flanges i2 by suitable. pivotbolts 52. The arm portions 5i extend slightly forward of their pivotbolts 52 and at their forward ends are quadrant-shaped to form a curvedcam edge 53 and a shoulder 54. As will be observed more particularly inFigure 7, the standards E are overbalanced at the rear of their pivotpoints 52 and therefore will normally swing by gravity to a workingposition.

The standard latching means F for controlling the pivoted rippingstandards E embodies a rock shaft 55 journaled parallel to the mainshaft l in rearward extensions on the bearings I4. The rock shaft 55extends across the ripper frame slightly to the rear of the shaft 15 andfixed at one end upon the shaft 55 is an arcuate arm 56 which extendsforwardly and downwardly over the shaft l5. Connected at one end to theforward end of the arm 56 is a link 51 which extends forwardly and hasits other end connected to a standard latch lever 58 suitably pivotedupon the connecting rail 9". This lever 58 is normally swung rearward bya coil spring 59. Pivotally mounted at the forward end portion of eachof the slots [3 is a standard latch 60 for releasably holding theirrespective standards in a working position. As shown in Figure 3, thesestandard latches 60 are pivoted substantially midway of their ends uponpivot pins 6! and provide an upwardly extending arm portion 62 and 'an'arm portion 63 which projects downwardly into the slot l3. The armportion 63 is formed with spaced apart arms providing an opening 64closed at its lower end by a cross piece 65 having a rounded lowersurface for co-acting with the cam edge 53 of the ripping standards.Secured at spaced points along the rock shaft55, one for each of thestandard latches 60, are upstanding lever arms 66 which are connected totheir respective latches by links 61. One of the lever arms 66 forms apoint of attachment for the rear end of the coil spring 58 whereby thelever arms are normally swung forward. When a forward pull is exerted onthe standard latch lever 58, the arcuate arm 56 rocks the shaft 55 forswinging the lever arms 66 rearwardly and thru the links 61 releases thelatches 60 from holding engagement with the ripping standards. Thus itwill be seen that all of the standard latches 60 work in unison.

Each of the ripping standards E has means associated therewith wherebyone or any number of the standards may be retained in an in active ornon-working position when such becomes desirable, and without requiringremoval of any bolts or the like. Mounted upon one end of each of thepivot pins 6| for the standard latches 60, is a link 66 and to each ofwhich is loosely connected a hook member which extends rearwardly abovethe frame structure 8 and has a hook at its rear end adapted to engagethe shank of the standard for hooking the standard in an inactiveposition as shown in Figure 2. When desiring to swing one or any numberof the ripping standards into an inactive position, the latching means Fis first operated for releasing the latches 60 and after which thestandard or standards may be swung upwardly about the pivot bolt 52 andhooked in this raised position by the hooks 10. When a standard ishooked up, the arm portion 5| thereof is clear of its latch 60 and thispermits operation of all of the standard releasing latches regardless ofwhich of the standards are hooked up.

Referring now to the manner of raising the frame by the power lift meansB so as to lift the ripping standards above the ground surface to permittransporting and turning of the ripper, this means B may be operatedentirely independent of the standard latching means F. When raising theframe, a pull is exerted on the lever 30 which lowers the hook ends 24of the power lift hooks 23 into engagement with their respectivesprockets 25. Ks the ground wheels I! roll forward, the hooks 23 exertan upward and forward pull on the frame thus causing the wheel carrierarms IE to swing downward about the main shaft l5 as an axis and causethe frame to be raised. 'As the ground wheels continue to roll forward,the end of thelatch arm 32 rides under the stop pin 35 on the latch 34and just after which the lift hooks 23 are raised off their ratchetwheels by the studs 21 of the ratchet wheels. When lowering the ripper,a forward pull is made on lever 31 which swings the latch 34 andreleases latch arm 32 from the stop pin 35. When the arm 32 is released,the inclination of the wheel carrier arms will cause the ground wheelsto roll forward and thus lower the ripper frame until this latch arm 32engages the stop bolt 48.

When releasing the ripping standards E for the purpose of releasing anyaccumulations of ripped up material from in front of the standards, aforward pull on lever 58 will, thru the link 51, arm 56, arms 66 andlinks 6'! swing the latches 60 from engagement with the forward ends ofthe arm portions 5! of the standards. This allows the lower portions ofthe standards to swing backward about the pivot bolts 52 and the points50 to come to the ground surface as shown by dotted lines in Figure 2.If the power lift means B is now operated and the frame raised, theripping standards will automatically swing by gravity action into aripping position and re-engage their latches 66. As the standards swingto a ripping position, the cam edges 53 will ride over the rounded loweredge of the cross piece 65 of the latches and into the latch opening 64.Thus the ripping standards may be returned to a ripping position byoperating the power lift means while the ripper is traveling forward. Ifit is desired to release the ripping standards for unloading accumulatedmateral without using the power lirt means, this may be readilyaccomplished by merely traveling forward far enough for the releasedstandards to be dragged over the material. Then, by backing up theripper, the ripping points 50 will dig into the ground and cause thestandards to pivot on the bolts 52, thus raising the frame A andpermitting the standards to re-engage their latches without requiringoperation of the power lift.

It will be seen that when the ripper is in operation where noobstructions are encountered,

the power lift may be operated for lifting and lowering the ripperwithout using the standard latching means F. On the other hand, when theripper is in operation where immovable objects are frequentlyencountered, or accumulations of debris are often raked up in front ofthe ripper, the standard latching means may be used for unloading thisaccumulation of material. When the material has been released and passedover by the standards, the operator may then back the ripper up wherebythe standards will automatically swing back into working position andeven push the material back so that the standards may re-enter theground at the point where they were released.

The control levers 3U, 31 and 58 may each have a control cable connectedthereto and these cables may extend to a location on the tractor wherebythe operator can control the ripper.

Changes in detail may be made to the form of invention herein shown anddescribed without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A road ripper implement comprising a wheeled frame, means for raisingthe frame with respect to its supporting wheels, means for retaining theframe raised, means for limiting downward movement of the frame, aseries of ripping standards separately pivoted on the frame, latchingmeans for releasably holding the standards in working position relativeto the frame, and means for securing one or any selected standards in aninactive position on the frame.

2. A road ripper implement comprising a wheeled frame, means for raisingthe frame with respect to its supporting wheels, means for retaining theframe raised, means for limiting downward movement of the frame, aseries of ripping standards separately pivoted on the frame, a latch foreach standard for holding the standards in a working position, a singlereleasing means. for the latches, and a hook for each standard forsecuring selected standards in an inactive position and out ofengagement by their latches.

3. In a road ripper implement, a wheeled frame, power lift means forraising the frame relative to the wheels, a latch for holding the frameraised, means for releasing the latch, depth regulating means having theweight of the frame removed therefrom when the frame is raised, a seriesof ripping standards pivoted on the frame, a pivoted latch for eachstandard for holding the standards in a working position, and means forsimultaneously releasing said pivoted latches.

4. In a road ripper implement, a frame, a main shaft journaledtransversely of the frame, ground wheel supporting arms secured to theshaft, power lift means for swinging said arms to raise the frame, areleasable latch, a swinging latch arm on the main shaft engageable withthe latch for holding the frame raised, depth regulating means having astop engageable by the latch arm for limiting lowering of the frame,ripping standards pivoted on the rear portion of the frame, andreleasable latch means for the standards.

5. In a road ripper implement, a frame, a main shaft journaledtransversely of the frame, ground wheel supporting arms secured adjacenteach end of the shaft, power lift means for swinging said arms to raisethe frame, a pivoted latch having a stop pin, means for releasing saidlatch, a swinging latch arm on the main shaft engageable with the stoppin for holding the frame raised, depth regulating means embodying .armspivoted on the main shaft and having a ing lowering of the frame, aseries of ripping standards pivoted on the rear portion of the frame,and releasable latch means for holding the standards in a workingposition.

6. In a road ripper implement, a frame, a main shaft journaledtransversely of the frame, ground wheels swingably connected to theshaft, stop bolt engageable by the latch arm for limitpower lift meansfor raising the frame, a latch arm on the main shaft, a releasable latchengageable by the latch arm for holding the frame raised, regulatingarms pivoted on the shaft and provided with a stop engageable by thelatch arm for limiting lowering of the frame, a regulating screwconnected between the regulating arms and the frame, ripping standardspivoted upon the rear portion of the frame, and means for releasablyholding the standards in a working position.

'7. In a road ripper implement, a wheeled frame, power lift means forraising the frame, releasable latching means for holding the frameraised, depth regulating means for limiting lowering of the frame, aseries of ripping standards separately pivoted upon the rear portion ofthe frame, a latch for each standard for holding the standards in aworking position, a rock shaft, 2. link connecting each latch with therock shaft, and means for oscillating the rock shaft to release thelatches from the standards.

8. In a road ripper implement, a wheeled frame, power lift means forraising the frame, latch means for holding the frame raised, means forlimiting lowering of the frame, a series of ripping standards separatelypivoted upon the rear portion of the frame and being overbalanced at therear of their pivot to normally swing to a working position, a pivotedlatch for each standard and automatically engaged by the standards whenswinging to a working position, latch releasing means for simultaneouslyreleasing all of the standards, and means normally holding the latchesin position to be engaged by the standards.

9. In a road ripper implement, .a wheeled frame, means for raising theframe, means for holding the frame raised, means for limiting loweringof the frame, a series of ripping standards separately pivoted upon therear portion of the frame, a latch for holding each standard in aworking position, releasing means for the latches, and a hook for eachstandard for retaining any selected standard or standards in a raisedinactive position.

10. In a road ripper implement, a wheeled frame having a series ofrearwardly opening slots spaced apart transversely of the rear portionof the frame, a ripping standard pivotally mounted in each slot andoverbalanced at the rear of their pivot to normally swing to a Workingposition, releasable latching means for the standards, and means forsecuring selected standards in an inactive position out of engagement ofthe latching means.

11. In a road ripper implement, a frame embodying a cross framestructure having a series of spaced apart slots opening at the rear ofthe frame, a ripping standard pivotally mounted in each slot, a latchpivotally movable in the forward portion of each slot and engageable bythe standard therein when the standards are in a working position, meansfor releasing the latches, and means for securing one or all of thestandards in an inactive position.

AUGUSTA P. MCKAY.

